On the floor of the Great Rift Valley lies Lake Manyara National Park. The rift valley escarpment wall give the Park a spectacular view. Famous for its tree-climbing lions, the Park with its underground water forest support many lives especially the primates. Hot water springs is one of the rare geological feature that give visitors to this area an opportunity to explore. The springs are 70 degrees warm enough to boil an egg! For birdwatchers, the Park is a paradise with more than 350 species of birds identified. More than two million flamingos have been counted in the lake at the same time. An opportunity to walk on canopy is also available giving a bird-eye view of the ground water forest! This once prime hunting ground is today a national park of unsurpassed beauty. Lake Manyara National Park was gazette as a National park in 1960 and was declared as Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1981. The park has an area of 648.7 km² (402 sq miles) of which 262.7 km² (163 sq miles) is covered by lake and 386 km² (240 sq miles) is dry land. The park delivered its name from a plant called Euphorbia tirucalli, known as Emanyara in Maasai language. The Maasai people use this plant to protect their bomas (hedge). The park can be accessed throughout the year. However June to October is the best time for large mammals and November to July is ideal time for bird watching.